So all day today (May 20th, that is), TCM was airing James Stewart films in honor of his 100th birthday. Luckily, i made a good decision in DVR'ing one that looked good that was airing at 8:00 AM. The film was definitely well-worth watching.
The film is Frank Borzage's The Mortal Storm (1940). It stars James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan, and Frank Morgan, among others. These three actors were all great performers, and ones that I was already familiar with. The same three actors were in another film I love that was also released during 1940, prior to Borzage's: The Shop Around The Corner! For those who aren't familiar with this film, you might be unaware of a connection you have with it. That cute little film called You've Got Mail (1998) with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan is actually a remake of Shop; they simply updated the idea from pen-pals who work together to emailers whose businesses are going at each other. I highly reccomend checking out both if you haven't already. Another insightful piece of information, Frank Morgan is most well-known for his role as the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz (1939). In my opinion, his role as the Wizard doesn't do him much justice, especially since you don't see him in the spotlight very much. Once you see him in Shop as Mr. Matuschek, only then will you really begin to love him. =]
The Mortal Storm really impressed me. The film is one of the most straight-up anti-Nazi films I've gotten the chance to watch, and it most definitely gains a lot of credit being such a film and being released in 1940 during the era of Classical Hollywood. How big of a deal was it? After the film was released, Hitler banned all films distributed by MGM in all of Germany. Supposedly, MGM gained a lot of profit from Germany, so this film works as a prime example of a Hollywood Studio choosing to stand up for what they believe in over making the big money.
The film is a melodrama at heart, but then again, it is so much more. The film delivers a straight-forward message of following through with your beliefs. The combination of these two ideas are executed greatly by director Frank Borzage. Borzage was a director whose peak came during the later period of the silent era and the beginning of sound films. He borrowed visual ideas from F.W. Murnau, the director who made that little film called Nosferatu (1922). Borrowing from the ideas of German Expressionism, he created his own beautiful imagery through the art of romanticism. I wasn't aware of this while watching the film, but Borzage is remembered by many for his silent film Seventh Heaven (1927) which held the most nominations at the 1st Annual Academy Awards and also took home the award for Best Director. So basically, it comes as no surprise to me that The Mortal Storm was so great since Borzage had obvious talent to put to good use.
The director always has to be credited (in this case, very highly), but I honestly doubt this film would hold such "classic-status" were it not for the actors and actresses in the film. First of, who doesn't love James Stewart? There is something about him that just makes me feel...it's almost as if i feel nostalgic, as if I was actually around during the Golden Years to witness his career as it flourished. I really love the way he does his lines in his films; he speaks them, and then they are no longer lines meant for anyone, but lines crafted especially for him. Any fan of Jimmy should make sure they get a chance to add this under their belt. Secondly, there's the charm and warmth that Margaret Sullavan is able to bring to the screen. Her role as Klara Novak in The Shop Around the Corner always impressed me, and this film just stacks up more on the pile. Sullavan and Stewart made four films together, and the two that I have seen are real keepers. Although those two films are the only two that I've seen of hers, I have a feeling I'd love her in all of her roles. It's sad that an actress that was able to bring out so much happiness and emotion on screen was also the same actress who suffered from depression and was found dead in a hotel room due to a drug overdose. Thirdly, and probably one of my personal favorites, is the acting of Frank Morgan. This guy is just so great! Honestly, I don't even give a shit about the land of Oz. In both Mortal and Shop, Morgan's roles are supporting roles. Meanwhile, his scenes are able to climb up to the top as some of the most memorable of the films. Who could ever really forget when Mr. Matuschek invites the young boy to join him for a holiday dinner in the end of Shop? Just the same, his role as Prof. Roth in Mortal keeps the audience from giving all their devotion to Stewart and Sullavan alone. Lastly, I'd just like to mention how great it was to witness the acting of Russian actress Maria Ouspenskaya in the role of Stewart's mother, Hilda Breitner. A real first-class act, for sure. Make sure you pay attention there.
I really loved this film and hope I've inspired you to watch it whenever you get the chance.
James Stewart - # 3 Actor - Greatest Screen Legends
Stewart discovers that Sullavan is his secret admirer in The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
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